The Lake Shelbyville recreation area in Illinois management noticed several facilities using more electricity than they should, generating higher than normal electric bills.
To combat these issues, the Corps of Engineers St. Louis District reached out to the Huntsville Center to provide expertise with the installation of solar photovoltaic renewable power.
The project, which kicked off Thursday, includes the installation of a 20,000-watt solar array that will help generate power to offset Lake Shelbyville’s electric bill.
Lake Shelbyville is a reservoir that was created by damming the Kaskaskia River at Shelbyville. The $57 million dam and lake project was completed in 1970 and is used for recreational and educational purposes.
To generate renewable power that would help offset the cost, the St. Louis District decided Lake Shelbyville needed a design for and installation of a solar array that will consist of three photovoltaic solar panels at the visitor’s center, dam and maintenance facility, said Jerry Henley, Energy Engineering Analysis Program engineer.
“However, they realized they did not have the capabilities needed to get the job done alone,” Henley said. “So, they called us here at Huntsville Center.”
Corps programs working together to implement energy projects is something Huntsville Center strives to do, and it’s a win for the Corps overall, said Raúl Alonso, EEAP program manager.
To get the project moving in the right direction, Huntsville Center’s EEAP team first conducted an initial site visit, developed the performance work statement and the independent government estimate for the St. Louis District.
Once completed, the EEAP team reached out to Huntsville Center’s Facilities Renewal and Repair Program which has the contractual mechanisms to execute energy contracts.
A firm-fixed price contract was awarded to provide the design and installation of one of the solar panels with an estimated cost of approximately $300,000, and is expected to be complete within 12 months.